While reports had suggested that the Toffees were confident that the England international would remain in Merseyside for the new campaign, The Sun claim that Goodison Park chiefs will accept a British record offer.

Chelsea have been linked with a £30m bid for Stones’ signature, which Everton are said to have no interest in accepting, but an offer in the region of £35m – a record sum for a defender in the Premier League – would be enough to see the 21-year-old clinch a move to Stamford Bridge, The Sun report.

Stones has been viewed as the exemplary long-term replacement to veteran Blues captain John Terry, but after he was hauled off at half-time against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon, he could very well be an instant successor to the 34-year-old.

Terry was by no means culpable for the Blues’ defeat at the Etihad Stadium, with Graeme Souness [via the Daily Mail] believing that Jose Mourinho, the Chelsea manager, may have simply been making a point to owner Roman Abramovich that he needs more signings before the summer window closes.

However, this may not be the case at all.

According to the Telegraph, a week before their trip to Manchester, Mourinho informed Terry that his place in the team was not guaranteed having been left concerned by his pre-season form.

He could therefore be set for an unfamiliar bench-warming role with the Portuguese manager appearing to be in an unforgiving mood.